Electric vaporizer



Oct. 16, 1945. M. K Z 2,387,155

ELECTRIC VAPORI ZER Filed April 28-, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. Maxflail/77m? v arguww A T TORNE Y5 19450 M. KATZMAN ELECTRIC VAPORIZERFiled April 28 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JNVENTOR. Max Kafzman A T TORNE Y5Patented Oct. 16, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC VAPORIZERMax Katzman, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application April 28, 1943, Serial No. 484,848

13 Claims.

The present invention relates to Vaporizers of the type employed toelectrically vaporize l quids and to liberate the vapors within a roomor other confined space. Although the vaporizer of the present inventionhas a Wide range of utility, it is particularly adapted to vaporizemedicated, liquids for inhalation in the treatment of respiratoryailments or to vaporize deodorant or disinfectant liquids.

In electric Vaporizers of the general type referred to, there isprovided a jar adapted to contain the liquid to be vaporized, aremovable lid for said jar, an electric heater depending from theunderside of said lid, having suitable electrodes to be submerged in thejar liquid, and terminals for said heater secured to the upper side ofthe lid for connection to an electricplug. If a person removes the lidwhile the heater is electrically connected, he may receive an electricshock.

One object of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedelectric vaporizer which is safe and proof against electric shock.

Another object is to provide an electric Vaporizer having a lid which islocked in a new and improved manner against removal from the jar as longas the electric plug is electrically secured to the heater terminal onsaid lid, but which can be easily and expeditiously released and removedto permit convenient access to the interior of the jar or to the heaterafter said plug is disconnected from the terminals on said lid.

A further object is to provide an electric vaporizer having a lid whichis locked to the jar even after the electric plug is detached, but whichcan be released by a simple manipulation, after the plug isdisconnected. v

Another object is to provide an electric vaporizer having theshock-proof features above referred to, without the requirements of aframe, base or stand for supporting the jar, and without the necessityof making the electric plug an inseparable part of the vaporizer unit.

A further object is to provide an electric vaporizer having a new and animproved structural connection between the lid locking means and thevaporizer handle.

Various other objects, features and advantages of the invention will beapparent from the following particular description, and from aninspection of the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is afragmentary vertical section of an electric vaporizer embodying thepresent invention and shown with its lid in locked position;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of a portion of the electric vaporizertaken on line 2-2 of Fi 1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the electric vaporizer shown with theelectric plug disconnected but the lid still locked;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation of the electric vaporizer shownwith the lid locking means in the process of being released;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the electric vaporizer shown with the lidlocking means entirely released; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side elevation of a vaporizer handle showncarrying a salt spoon as an alternative form of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, the electric vaporizer of the presentinvention comprises a jar I0 open at the top and made of any suitableinsulating material such as porcelain. The open top of the jar I0 isclosed by a cover or lid H which is also desirably made of porcelain,but which can be made of any other suitable material. This lid 1 I seatsfreely on the top rim of the jar l0 and is provided on its undersidewith an annular rib or flange l3 embraced by a gasket M of suitablesealing material such as rubber serving as a packing for the jointbetween the jar l0 and the lid II. This rib [3 serves to retain thegasket H, to reinforce the lid H, and to weigh down the lid II foreffective sealing of said lid on the jar. It also serves as a bafile forthe Vapor in its passage towards the outlet of the vaporizer as will bemade apparent. The upper end of the jar I0 is desirably provided with anannular internal recess is to permit the use of a rib 13 of maximumdiameter,

' and to afford maximum head space at the upper section of said jar.

The bottom of the jar i0 is desirably provided with means to preventinjury to a table or other supporting member. This means is shown in theform of pins I! provided with shanks retained in respective recesses inthe bottom of the jar l0 and projecting heads desirably of paddingmaterial such as rubber adapted to rest on a supporting surface.

A vapor discharge nozzle [8 on the upper side of the lid H is providedwith an inclined opening 20 communicating with the interior of the jarl0 and tapering as shown to discharge vapor at high speed. This nozzleI8 is desirably formed by a spout member 22 provided with a recess 23,and a rear flange 24, and glazed, cemented or otherwise made rigid withthe top of the lid H. The lid II has integral therewith a tapering tenon25 extending snugly into the spout recess 23am,

glazed or otherwise rigidly retained in said recess.

This tenon defines with the recess 23 the tapering nozzle opening 2%.

A nozzle extension desirably of metal and longitudinally split along itslower side is frictionally retained on the nozzle N! to direct thedischarged vapors in the desired directions at a distance from thevaporizer. This nozzle extension 30 permits a person to inhaleconcentrated medicated vapors directly as they are discharged from saidextension. These vapors are discharged from theextensionfii) at a speedreduced: suffi ciently from. the .nozzle outlet speed, to permit;

convenient inhalation. Where the vaporizer is employed, for example, tovapor treat the air in not to be used for direct inhalation, but is tobe 1.

a room, the extension 39 may be dispensed with; A handle 3| is providedrigid with the jar-Ill,

and made of any suitable strong material such as wood or plastic. Forsecuring the handle-3| to the jar [0, there is provided a handlesupport- 32 integral or otherwise rigid with the rear lower side .of:said jar alongthe length thereof. The

upper sectionof this handle support 32 is slotted to form furcations 33snugly flanking the lower portionof the handleuframeii i seatedon-saidsupport. A long bolt 35 extends through-the handle support 32 and handleframe 3'4 to firmly secure-the handle-3| to said support. Recesses 36and (Him the handle support-32 and handle p frame 34 respectivelyserveto conceal the-head and nut of bolt 35 while rendering these easilyaccessible for bolt removal.

' Suspended from the lid|-| and forming a unitary assembly therewith'isa cup or receptacle 4!] and a heater'4|.- 'The receptacle il which is ofsuitable insulating material suchas porcelain, is adapted to containrespiratory medicant, deodorant, antiseptic or other ingredients to beejected-'with the steamyapors generated in the vaporizer, and serves tokeep these ingredientsaway from the heater-4| andthe carrier-liquid 1 tobe vaporized, as set forth in my United States Patent No.2;051f719,issued-August 18, 1936. This receptacle 4D is hingedly 'fastenedto theunderside of the lid '||.--For that-purpose, there is secured to theunderside of the lid H by means to be describeda pair of metal angles43,-having respective depending flanges pivotally connected at 44 to the'upstandingflanges of metal angles 45 retained in recesses 46 of thereceptacle4il and fixed to said receptacle'in amanner to be described.-In normal-operating position of the vaporizer shown in Fig. 1 the ribi3 encircles-the rim of "the receptacle 40, and extends slightly belowsaid rim to form therewith a restricted'annular passageway 47between-'said-rib and said rim. This arrangement-assures passage ofthe-steam vapors over-the medicant or other ingredients contained-in thereceptacle and thereby prevents the vapors from being by-passedthe'receptacle 4D ina manner to be described- Two heating electrodes 5|made of carbon, steelor other similarv electricaliconductive materialand shown of rectangular block form are retained in the hollow 52 of theheater frame 50 and are interspaced to permit flow of liquid or vaporupwardly into said frame hollow. A transverse opening 54 in the heaterframe 50 communicates with its central hollow 52 to form a circulatorypassageway for the carrier liquid or vapors as set forth in my PatentNo. 2,051,719.

The electrodes 5| are secured to the frame 53 by means of metalfastening members 53 passing through the 'walls .of the'receptacle andthe heatenframefifl andlafiix'ed .to said electrodes. These fasteningmembers 53 are shown in the form of long pins having respective heads attheir upper ends and frictionally secured to the electrodes 5| at theirlower ends in a manner as described-and claimed in my copendingapplication, Serial No. 484,849, filed April 28, 1943. These pins=53serve not only as fastening means for the heater unit 4|, but also serveto conduct electricity to the heater electrodes 5| and to fasten the.hinge angles 45 to the receptacle-41L These hinge anglesl 45 as well'as the hinge-angles '43 also conduct electricity to the heater: 4and-con-- jiointly form part of the'heater circuit in series with thefastening pins 53.

The' upper hinge angles 43 are electrically-connected to terminals 60 onthe "outside of the vapor izer; These terminals 60 in the form :of pinspass through the lid and areanchored at their lower ends by threadedportions 6| on-the hangers 43,- 'while the-upper ends of the terminalsproject-upwardly beyond the lid A flange -63 -''on each of the terminalsseatson "an insulating washer 64 in a recess- 65 on the upper sideof thelid fl, and is firmly-clamped against said washer by the portionBL- Thepins serve not only .aslterininals for the heater 4|, but also serve tofasten=the hinge angles 43 in position. As an important featureof thepresent inven-- tion, means are provided for locking the lid againstremoval while the terminals 'of the vaporizer are-electrically insertedin anelectric-plug; or are in dimensional condition *forelectricalconnection to the plug;- -Forthat-purpose,- the terminals 6i] "are madetoo small in length and di-' ameter-to electrically engage the ordinaryhouseholdelectric plug-q Therefore,-as 'long' as the terminals-6D remainexposed-"there is no possibility of making electrical connectiontherewith through-the ordinary household plug. 4 To permit suchelectrical connection 'to be -made conven.-

iently, there is provideda pair of tubular conduc tor prongs-7b adaptedto be slipped over the terminals- 60 and externally dimensionedforeffec--" insulating material to which said prongs-rare fastened andanangular bracket--'|-3 secured to said base. .JIhis base." issh0wn,c0mprising two superposed insulating vsheets fastened. .at theirrear ends to one .arm .14 of the bracket 13 by rivets 15, and fastenedtogetheriat their forward ends by'a rivet 16." These base sheets 12 areformed with aligned aperturesto permit free pass sage of the terminals60 therethrough. The prongs 19 extend only through the apertures of theupper base sheet and have flange bases I8 retained between the two basesheets, so that these prong bases are protected by the insulatingproperties of said sheets.

7 The bracket 13 is of substantially right angular shape, and has adepending leg or arm 80 extending between the handle frame 34 and thejar l0, and formed with an elongated slot SI for loosely receiving aheaded pin or stud 82 secured to a post or stand 83. This post 83 formsone arm of an angle, the other arm 84 of which is clamped between thehandle frame 34 and the handle support 32 and is held in position by thebolt 35 passing therethrough.

, The bracket 13 can be translated upwardly from the position shown inFig. l to the inoperative position shown in Fig. 4 in which the prongs'lfl are out of engagement with the terminals. When the bracket I3 is inits lowermost operative position shown in Fig. l, the conductor prongsit} are socketed over the terminals 60 and are in position to receivethe socket terminals of the ordinary household electric plug connectedto one end of a flexible conductor cord, the other end of which hasthe-usual plug for connection to a current outlet. As long as theconductor prongs T9 are in operative position shown in Fig. 1, the lid lI cannot be removed from the jar ID to a sufficient extent to expose theinterior thereof or to expose the receptacle 4!! and heater 4| forming aunit with said lid, so that a person cannot accidentally receive a shockby inadvertently tampering with the lid while the plug is attached tothe prongs l0. By moving the lid H upwardly in limiting position asdetermined by the engagement of the stud 82 with the base of the bracketslot 8|, the lid II with appurtenances 40 and 4| attached thereto can betilted in the position shown in dot and dash lines in Fig. 1. In thistilted position, the bracket arm 80 engaging the stud 82 and the upperend of the handle frame 34 limits further angular movement of the lid lI. In this extreme tilted position of the lid H, the interior of the jaris as well as the receptacle 40 and heater M are still inaccessible sothat the user cannot accidentally come in contact with anything in theinterior of the jar Ii that may givehim a shock.

The lid H can only be entirely removed from the jar H3 after the prongs10 have been disconnected from the terminals 60. To remove the lid H theprongs 10 are lifted from the terminals 68 into limiting position shownin Fig. 4, and then angularly turned into the position shown in Fig. 5in which the prongs l and their supporting bracket 13 are in position topermit free removal of the lid II with attached receptacle 40 and heater4|. The interior of the jar lil'can then be cleaned or refilled withwater for use, and the receptacle E! cleaned or refilled with medicantsor whatever other ingredients are intended to be ejected with thegenerated steam Vapors.

In order to further render the vaporizer safe against'accidental shock,the lid H is formed on its upper side with upstanding flanges 85flanking the terminals 60 and forming with the spout flange 24aprotective wall around three sides of said terminals so. Theseprojective flanges 24 and 85 are spaced a, suflicient distance from theprongs in their operative position to permit the electric plug to beattached freely to said prongs 10 or easily detached therefrom.

It should be noted that the locking of the lid I 1 against accidentalremoval while, electrically connected is effected without the necessityof making the electric plug a permanent unit with the vaporizer, andwithout the necessity of frames, bases or stands for supporting the jaror the lid locking means. This reduces the amount of metal necessary forthe vaporizer, and thereby reduces the weight of the vaporizer and itscost of manufacture, and also renders it safer and more convenient tohandle.

To the water in the jar l0 must be added a pinch of salt to make saidwater electrically conductive. If too much salt is added, the water willfoam excessively, and may boil over into the receptacle 40. In Fig. 6 isshown a modified construction in which the handle 3| of the vaporizercarries a spoon for measuring the salt, so that the addition of theright amount of salt is assured. Furthermore, the presence of the spoonin full view with an indicia thereon that it is a salt spoon is aconstant reminder that salt must be added to the water beforevaporization can e i The salt'spoon 90 is secured to the side of thehandle 3! by means of a staple 9| driven into said handle. The spoon isof sheet metal with one end 92 dished to form a shallow bowl for thesalt. The engagement of the convex side of the spoon bowl 92 with theside of the handle 3|, and the engagement of the spoon handle with thestaple 9| serves to frictionally retain the spoon in said staple againstaccidental removal, while permitting said spoon to be easily removed forsalt measuring purposes.

I have described what I believe to be the best embodiments of myinvention. I do not wish,

however, to be confined to the embodiments.

shown, but what I desire to cover by Letters Patent is set forth in theappended claims.

I claim:

1. An electric vaporizer comprising a jar adapted to contain the liquidto be vaporized, a lid for said jar, an electric heater suspended fromsaid lid and provided with terminals on the upper sidemitting said lidremoval while said prong supporting means are in angular position awayfrom the upper side of said lid.

2. An electric vaporizer comprising a jar adapted to contain the liquidto be vaporized, a lid for said jar, an electric heater suspended fromsaid lid and provided with terminals on the upper side of said lid,conductor prongs adapted to engage said terminals and to receive aseparate plug, and a bracket for supporting said prongs mounted topermit movement of said prongs in and out of engagement with saidterminals and towards and away from the upper side of said lid.

3. An electric vaporizer comprising a jar adapted to contain the liquidto be vaporized, a lid for said jar, an electric heater suspended fromsaid lid and provided with terminals on the upper side of said lid, anangle bracket having an arm extending over said lid and the other armalong the side of said jar, means for supporting said bracket fortranslational movement transversely of said lid towards :or away from:said li'd'? and for pivotak movement t'owards and v away :irom theupper-sideof said lid; andprongs carried'b'y said first-mentionedbracket arms and adapted to be moved by said'bracket into and out ofengagement with said terminals; said prongs being adapted to receive-aseparate electric plug when said prongs are in Iengagernenir withsaidterminal's.

4. Anelectric vaporizer comprising a-jar adapted to contain the liquidto be vaporized, a lid for said jar; an electric heater suspended-fromsaid lid I and provided: with terminals: on the-upper sidel of said lid,a handle onone si'de of said j-ar'g an angle-bracket having an armextending over said lid azndlthe other arm alongltheside of saidrjar:

between said handle andsaidjan means between said jar, and said handlefor supporting said bracket-:for translational movement transverselyofsaid lid and 'for pivotal movement towards r away .from thelupper sideof said 'lid; and=p'rongscarried :by said first-mentioned bracketrand-and adapted-to be moved-by said-bracket into-ancient of engagementwith said terminals, said prongsbeingadapted: to receive aseparateelectric' plu when said: prongs are in engagement withsaidterminals.

5. An electric vaporizerrcomprising a jar adapt-=- edtocontainitheliquid to be vaporized 'a lid for said: jar, an electric:heaterisuspendedfrom said-=- lidfiand provided With-Iterminals on-the'upper' side of saidlid;ananglenbracket having an arm extendingioversaidlid and the other-armalor w thevsi'de of said'jar, prongscarriedabysaidefi; mentioned bracket arms and adapted; to receive aseparate electric-plug, and a poston side of said jar for supporting:said bracket and hav-'- ingsapinzand elongated slctconnection withs'aidsecond -mentioned:bracket'arm permitting trans lational movement ofsaidrprongs in and *out of engagement with said terminals and "angularmovement:of said bracketiin adirectiontobring said first-mentionedaimto. one side of said-lids 6. An-electric vaitlorizercomprising ajar'ad'ap ed to contain?thezliquidazto' be. vaporizec'i lid dr' saidianan electric heater suspended from -said lid and provided with:terminal plus -extending pwa ly from said: lid,i'a..handle 01' one side:of' said jar, an angle: bracketishaving an :arm extend-= ing. over saidlid :andthe 'other'arm al'ong: the sideof saidtjar betweensai'dzhandl'ezand said J'airi a post between.- saidvjaix'and saidhandle-having pin and elongated slot :connectionawith said second-mentioned bracket: arm, and tubular prongsoarried by .said:.first-mentioned hrackeiz arm and adapted to be moved by saidibracketsintoand out, of embracing engagement-with: said: terminalpins,saidaprongs being-adapted to receive separate electric, plug when:saielprongs. .areli'n'.

engagement with, said terminal pinsz- 7. An. electric vaporizer;comprising;.a jars adapted to containtheliquid-to-be vaporized aplidfor said jar, an.ele.ctric-e.heater.suspended frome said lid and "havingterminalsextending item the upper side of said lid, a handleiorsaidjar asup, port for said handle ri'gidwithitheside ofsaiddar a post onone'side' of said jarwhavingpa. base clamped between said handle.iandlsaidisupport conductor prongs; and a bracket for supporting. saidprongs mounted'onsaidlpost for, movement of; I said prongs in and outoiengagementlwithsaid terminals; said prongsbeing adapted to be con=--nectedto a separate electric plug; 'said bracket: locking said;- lidagainst removal' while said prongs are in engagement withsaid-terrninals; 1

' 8. an -electric'vaporizer,'-a jar adapted to contain the liquid to bevaporized, and having integ ral therewith along the lower section of oneside thereof a projection bifurcated at its upper end, a handle for saidjar having a frame section seated on the upper end of said jarprojection and snugly-- retained between the 'branchesof the bifur'cation onsaid projection; and'a bolt passing throughsaid-handleframe and said jar projection for firmly securing said handleto Said projection. 9. In an electric vaporizer, a jar adapted tocontain the liquid to be vaporized;- and'a' lid for saidjar havingintegral with the upper side thereof atenon, and a' spout having a slotsnuglyreceiving saidten-on, said tenon defining with said slota'tapering nozzle discharge opening 'commu-' nicating with the interior ofsaid jar;

l0.'-I'n an electric vaporizer, a jar adapted to contain the liquidto bevaporized-,9, lid forsaid jarhaving integralwith the upper: side thereofa tenon', a spout having a seat snuglyreceiving said tenon,- said tenondefining with'said'slot a taper:' ing nozzle discharge openingcommunicatingwith' the interior of said jar, said spout having integraltherewith a flange at one end thereof opposite from the dischargeend ofsaid spout, said lid having integral with the upper side thereof apair'of flanges extending from opposite ends of said first"-mentionedflange; anda heater suspended from said lid andhaving terminalsprojecting up:

=ward-ly from the upper side of'said lid and con fined within saidflanges in protective relationship therewith-.-

l'li lin anel'ectric vaporizer, "ajar adapted to contain the liquid tobe vaporized, a lid forsaid' jarhaving an" annular rib on its undersideadapted to extend into the interior of. said jar, and a receptacleHIOVQIblYCOIlIIGCtEi-litO' the under side-of said-li'dandadapted toextend into said" jar; said-receptacle in operative position having 'its'ri-m' extending in proximity'to' saidriband space-d radially inwardlytherefrom to permit'the generated vapors to pass between-said receptacleand said rib-,-said lid having a'discharge opening oversaid receptaclein operative" position thereof;

12. In an electric vaporizer, a jar adaptedito contain the liquid to bevaporized, a lid' for" said jar having an annularrib on its undersidespaced radially inwardly from the' periphery of said; lid to-forma jarseating annular section, said rib being adapted to extend into'theinterior ofs'aid jar;---'a; gasket around said ribseated on the jar rim;anda receptaclehin'ged; to the underside of said lid and adapted toextend into said"jar',.saidi receptacle in operative positionhavin'gfits rim' extending in proximity to said rib andspacedradiallyinwardly therefrom to' permit the generated.v

vapors to pass between. said receptacle and said rib, said lid having a,discharge opening over said receptacle inoperative position" thereofi13. In an electric vaporizer, a handle for said vaporizer, and means for'removably supporting aspo'on for-measuring ag'predet'ermined amount of.salt on saidhandlesaid means beingiincapa'bl'e of accommodatingv theconventional spoon.

MAX'K'ATZMAN;

